ASEAN, Japan Reaffirm Commitment to Advance Partnership

27 May 2021 -

The 36th ASEAN-Japan Forum held virtually today reaffirmed the commitments of both sides to further strengthen cooperation and advance partnership.

The meeting took note of the good progress made in ASEAN-Japan cooperation over the last year in all four pillars of partnership, including through following up to the outcomes of the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit and the implementation of the Revised Implementation Plan of the 2013 Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Approximately 97% of the action lines set out in the Plan have been addressed.

The meeting also highlighted the close cooperation between ASEAN and Japan in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and appreciated Japan’s support to ASEAN, such as through Japan’s contribution for the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases and to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.

A Feasibility Study on the Establishment of “ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases” is supported by the Government of Japan through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).